8 places for the perfect afternoon tea Instagram photo

Friday 25 January 2019

These afternoon teas look almost too good to eat… snap a pic for posterity (and posting on Instagram) before tucking in to enjoy!

The London EDITION, London

Super-cool hotel The London EDITION is home to a secret… in fact, it’s home to many secrets, which are exchanged in its reservations-only Punch Room. ‘Scandal Water’ – 19th century slang for tea –used to mean a brew and a good gossip for members of London’s high society; today, Scandal Water has been reimagined at Punch Room in five inventive ways, each of which pairs a different tea with a unique sweet or savoury dish. Just add juicy gossip!

Chatsworth House, Peak District

Chatsworth House, a grand stately home in northwest England’s Peak District, has partnered with Wedgwood to create The Flying Childers, a restaurant exclusively serving afternoon tea. As you’d expect, given the involvement of one of Britain’s best-known potteries, the crockery is beautiful, while the food served on it is just as artistic. The blue macaron emulates the classic Wedgwood design with a dainty white flower drawn in icing – bite in, for an aromatic Earl Grey flavour.

Wedgwood Tea Emporium, Stoke-on-Trent

For a hefty dose of Wedgwood, head to its headquarters in Stoke on Trent, in England’s West Midlands, where there’s the Wedgwood Tea Emporium – complete with tea sommeliers to guide you through the selection – and the Wedgwood Tea Room. It’s a foodie Instagrammer’s dream: classic crockery adorned with picture-perfect scones and cakes. You can take the experience home by dropping by the Flagship Store or Factory Outlet before leaving.

Llangoed Hall, Powys

From the Laura Ashley furnishings (it used to be owned by Sir Bernard Ashley, husband of the famous designer) to the custom-designed crockery, Llangoed Hall in Powys, mid Wales, is a classy option for afternoon tea. There’s traditional cream tea and Welsh tea on offer, or book ahead for the full afternoon tea or Laura Ashley afternoon tea, which includes Elderflower Champagne and floral teas, plus cakes, sandwiches and scones served on bespoke crockery inspired by Laura Ashley.

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

At the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh – The Queen’s official Scottish residence – you can drink and dine in regal style on a tower of home-made cakes, pastries and sandwiches, with loose-leaf tea and the option to add champagne. If you happen to be more of a coffee drinker, you won’t be able to resist posting a wee picture of your cappuccino, which comes decorated with a very cute crown-shaped sprinkling of chocolate!

The Berkeley Hotel, London

London hotel The Berkeley is a must for anyone who loves to Instagram food snaps as much as pictures of fabulous outfits. Their signature Prêt-à-Portea Afternoon Tea changes with every fashion season, serving delicious delicacies that reflect the hottest collections of the moment. Think Balmain-inspired peach posset and Manolo Blahnik stiletto biscuits, washed down with a loose leaf tea or a glass of fizz.

Lords of the Manor, Cotswolds

Scones, jam and clotted cream made in a Michelin-starred kitchen – food moments don’t get much more memorable than afternoon tea at Lords of the Manor, in the Cotswolds, south-west England. Head Pastry Chef Kris Biggs has created a swoon-worthy selection of pastries and cakes, which you can enjoy out on the lawn in the summer or by a roaring fire when it’s chilly outside. And with Michelin quality, it’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat.

The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

An unmissable Belfast luxury experience, afternoon tea at The Merchant Hotel is served in the splendid and sumptuous Great Room Restaurant. Go for the most decadent version available, the Krug, which features a bottle of the high-end champagne, Royal Beluga Caviar and an array of cakes, patisserie and macarons.